The Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defence (Joseph Swetnam)

The school of the noble and worthy science of defense. Being the first of any Englishman's invention, which professed the said science; so plainly described, that any man may quickly come to the true knowledge of their weapons, with small pains and little practice.

The Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defence is an Englishfencing manual written by Joseph Swetnam and printed in 1617. This book contains both instructions for the use of weapons, and an in-depth discussion of both proper and improper behavior of those who would wield said weapons, particularly in the context of settling quarrels. The weapons focused on in this book are rapier and dagger, sword and dagger, backsword, single rapier, short sword, and staff.